The new northbound Central Artery tunnel, which opened to traffic on Saturday night, is getting its first big test today as it handles the full onslaught of the weekday morning commute. Tell us about your experience driving through the tunnel. Could you find your way? How was traffic moving? Do you think the new highway will cut down on traffic jams downtown?   Complete Big Dig coverage

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What a waste of 12 billion dollars. What idiot thought up having only two exits in Boston? As it is now designed the new Central Artery is only good for moving people through the city, not for getting INTO the city!

John, Weymouth

With all of the "white elephants" this state has left in the quagmire in the past 50 yrs., they've FINALLY worked out something that is actaully "beneficial" to the general populace! It's about time too! Let's just hope the rest of the "BIG HOLE" project is completed in time for those of us past 40 to enjoy!!!

Dino, Quincy

I tried the new 93 North yesterday afternoon. The traffic was going about 10 MPH from the Mass Ave connector to Exit 26 (Storrow Drive). From what I saw the ride was significantly slower than the old artery (used to be ~25MPH) on a typical Sunday afternoon. The traffic was crawling up to the Zakim bridge just like it. I hope this gets better otherwise its a big waste of money.

John, Belmont

My husband & I drove from North Quincy to Somerville early Sunday morning (before the craziness started) and were quite happy with the ride. The transition to the new tunnel (which should be named after "Tip") is quite smooth and the signs are great. Also, the tunnel is much cleaner than the Pike extension tunnel was on its opening day. The new exit 20 will eliminate the old backup to the Callahan Tunnel down ramp, the old back up of people merging from the Mass Pike, and the sudden lane changing that happen in the South Station tunnel when people realized the exit for Atlantic Ave was upon them! The tunnel will now make the ride north on 93 through downtown a pleasant and quick one.

Kathleen, North Quincy

The $15 billion would have been better spent on bringing the MBTA out of the dark ages. Boston will never be the "world class city" that it so desperately wants to be, without providing mass transit that is reliable, safe and cost-effective for commuters. The commuter rail is the biggest joke of them all, with dirty, unreliable equipment and a fare collection system better suited to the early 1900's. As for the new highway, people need to pay attention to what the media has been telling them: take exit 20 for downtown, south station, airport, etc. The tunnel is only 3 or 4 lanes because a lot of the local traffic will be exiting before they go underground.

SM, Wayland

Well hopefully the "inefficiencies" that all the South Shore commuters are whining about keep them out of the city clogging up the roads!! If you don't like the traffic, don't drive in... take the T! as for the suggestions of keeping the elevated artery AND the tunnel...just what we need... MORE CARS! As a city dweller, I think the roadway is a great improvement, aesthetically, pleasing and when it's all done we will have a beautiful waterfront area with out the ugly green/rust monster full of cars running thru it!

Claire, Dorchester

People. There are only two exits in the tunnel. If you want to go to Gov't center or Storrow drive get over to the right. Do it early! Since the opening of the tunnel, boston drivers have once again have shown the world that you are basically idiots. Let me try again. Going through the city...stay left...going into the city...stay right! Got it? Probably not. Morons.

Tim, Burlington

Like a child awakening on Christmas morning, the excitement of this newest big dig opening was overwhelming. Perhaps our expectations were too high. Perhaps it just took too darn long. My initial thought last night as I drove through was "Whoa" (in unison with my passenger upon being confronted with the blinding yellow lights - much like the TW tunnel). Second thought: "it's only 4 lanes. How is this going to help traffic????" Third thought: "No Causeway/N. End exit!" Can you imagine trying to get to the Fleet Center now! Yikes. Final thought: "How many billions did this thing cost?" Ultimately a big disappointment. Yes, the bridge is gorgeous, yes the tunnel is well-lit and modern, yes it may help A LITTLE BIT to elliviate SOME traffic SOME of the time. However, with only 2 exits I can forsee quite a bit of backup inside the tunnel. I guess time will tell. I hope I am wrong. I think it would have made much more sense to have a full 6 lane highway. Perhaps there are reasons for its small size other than sheer stupidity. But hey, I still love Boston!

Derek, Somerville

Why are people so surprised that traffic was moving slowly yesterday? A major new roadway with new exits was opened for the first time ever, and people need a little time to get used to it. Give it some time, and traffic will start to flow more smoothly. The best thing I noticed is the elimination of merges for on-ramps. Each on-ramp in the tunnel keeps its own new lane, so the new traffic doesn't have to immediately merge into fast-moving thru traffic. This should really help the flow of traffic. The other main thing I noticed is how incredibly bright the tunnel is. It was a major shock to my eyes driving from the rainy dark night into a blindingly bright tunnel - they might want to consider dimming the lights at least at the entrance to the tunnel to allow drivers' eyes to adjust gradually. Once people figure out where everything is and no longer have to drive tentatively through the new artery, I think this will really help.

Jim, Arlington, MA

I drove through yesterday (Sunday) just to check it out, and I had the feeling I wasn't the only one just there for a look. Good signage, nice surface, ok lighting. Coming out and up onto the Zakim bridge is pretty cool - it'll be terrific when the whole thing is done (2005?) and the city gets some well programmed, interesting open space where the elevated artery is now.

Philip, Cambridge